C1310 hv solenoid booster fault, 3 lights on dash, engine cuts out sometimes

[Gabs]

Hello fellow alphard lovers! 

Got my 2.4 efour hybrid 2006 for about 3 years now, absolutely love it and have done about 30k miles on it, absolute joy! 

Until last week, unfortunately.. 

First of all the car wouldn't switch on, funny noise (not funny actually), no idea what it was seemed like there was something jammed or rattling? Noticed oil level was low (as usual as been told the 2.4 engine between 2002 and 2007 have a piston ring issue? Correct me if I'm wrong), topped up the oil, connected my battery booster and it finally fired up with a nasty surprise, 3 lights on dash (as per picture)..

 

Since then the engine has cut off twice, once because hybrid battery went so low the engine cut off and wouldn't switch on, had to call AA who cleared the codes and it switched back on, second time was on motorway, it switched off for no apparent reason, stopped on hard shoulder, waited couple of minutes and it fired back on...

 

Apart from all listed above, noticed the engine doesn't seem to stop when hybrid battery is fully charged (it used to), the usual start stop waiting for traffic lights does not happen anymore, and the usual hybrid ecu that shoes battery being charged doesn't show the usual yellow and blue arrows, apart from other minor things that came along like: can only open driver window the other ones stopped working, cruise control doesn't work and the 100v ac power (used to use it to charge my phone) also doesn't switch on anymore... Worth mentioning that couple of weeks ago I had none of these problems, apart from constant oil top up (5 to 10l a year) 

 

have taken the car to 3 different garages, all of which have different views of what could be wrong with it (first one doesn't know what's wrong, second said it's probably the inverter and the third says it's probably hybrid battery) 

 

Any ideas or direction would be extremely welcome! 

 

Many thanks

 

Gabriel 

[Rojie]

Hello Gabs,

 

So sorry to hear of the issues with your Alphie.

 

The only sensible suggestion I have is to take it to a Toyota dealer.

They must have experience with the Toyota Hybrid system.

 

I know some are huffy about working on grey imports; but they are not all like that.

There must be some helpful Toyota dealers near your location.

[Gabs]

6 minutes ago, Rojie said:

Hello Gabs,

 

So sorry to hear of the issues with your Alphie.

 

The only sensible suggestion I have is to take it to a Toyota dealer.

They must have experience with the Toyota Hybrid system.

 

I know some are huffy about working on grey imports; but they are not all like that.

There must be some helpful Toyota dealers near your location.

Hello Rojie

Real bummer as I absolutely love my alphie, but as I use it for work been really stressed lately, afraid it might let me down any time.. 

 

I've called the Toyota mainline and they wouldn't book me in because it's a import, should I just drive in and try my luck that way?

 

Both my local Toyota "specialist" and the AA couldn't really get hold of the codes, would you suggest a code reader that actually works with the alphie boy?

 

Thanks for your time mate 

[Rojie]

I don't have a hybrid and I can't suggest a suitable code reader.

 

Cuttothechase on youtube, Ldrego in the Forum has a video where he is using an OBD machine.

Drop him a PM he may be able to help suggesting which unit he has.

 

I found it very interesting that low type pressure can trigger the VSC warning light.

If there is an ABS fault (I'm not suggesting there is) the VSC will not operate.

VSC will not operate under 1 5kph anyway.

 

There is a note in my handbook (not in the Hybrid section) that states "When starting the engine or moving immediately after the engine has been started, a noise can be heard from the engine bay. This is simply the sound of an (VSC?) operation check and not a fault"

 

My handbook also states "the condition of tyres can influence the (VSC) system greatly so check the tyres carefully".

(Not explicitly stated but I assume this refers to tyre pressures too).

[Rojie]

1 minute ago, Rojie said:

I don't have a hybrid and I can't suggest a suitable code reader.

 

Cuttothechase on youtube, Ldrego in the Forum has a video where he is using an OBD machine.

Drop him a PM he may be able to help suggesting which unit he has.

 

I found it very interesting that low type pressure can trigger the VSC warning light.

If there is an ABS fault (I'm not suggesting there is) the VSC will not operate.

VSC will not operate under 1 5kph anyway.

 

There is a note in my handbook (not in the Hybrid section) that states "When starting the engine or moving immediately after the engine has been started, a noise can be heard from the engine bay. This is simply the sound of an (VSC?) operation check and not a fault"

 

My handbook also states "the condition of tyres can influence the (VSC) system greatly so check the tyres carefully".

(Not explicitly stated but I assume this refers to tyre pressures too).

 

 

Isn't the right most yellow light the footbrake tell tale.

As your vehicle appears stationary I would expect that light to be on !

[Gabs]

Cheers bud, just dropped him a message about the obd..

 

In regards to the footbrake my light is red and on the left side of the dash, didn't include that in my shot.. those 3 lights are on all the time whilst I'm driving..

 

 

And the noise coming from the engine bay was a different noise, rather loud and rattling whilst I was trying to fire up the engine.. that didn't happen anymore, it was just the start of my problems!

I know the noise you mean from the book, it's rather low and "electronic like".. not related to it.. 

 

Thanks for your help mate, any ideas are greatly appreciated! Gonna go through all my fuses today to see if I find something there.. you never know 

 

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Gabs said:

Cheers bud, just dropped him a message about the obd..

 

In regards to the footbrake my light is red and on the left side of the dash, didn't include that in my shot.. those 3 lights are on all the time whilst I'm driving..

 

 

And the noise coming from the engine bay was a different noise, rather loud and rattling whilst I was trying to fire up the engine.. that didn't happen anymore, it was just the start of my problems!

I know the noise you mean from the book, it's rather low and "electronic like".. not related to it.. 

 

Thanks for your help mate, any ideas are greatly appreciated! Gonna go through all my fuses today to see if I find something there.. you never know 

 

 

That yellow lights seems to be a Brake warning light. ( ! )

Probably not the ABS though as that warning has a slightly different symbol (ABS)

 

OK, there is some software called Techstream.

 

Some say it's a free download; I believe you can rent it, daily, weekly, etc.

 

Search for Toyota Techstream. It is the official diagnostic tool (but may not cover Alphies). I expect most codes are similar.

[Gabs]

So we got brake lights, vehicle stability control and that red car is hybrid system light right? 

 

I've just ordered a code reader (Ancel JP700) apparently specifically for Japanese cars, will post here how it goes.. Fingers crossed 

 

Isn't the techstream what my garage probably used? 

If the code reader I bought doesn't work will try that! Thanks Rojie 

[Rojie]

3 hours ago, Gabs said:

So we got brake lights, vehicle stability control and that red car is hybrid system light right? 

 

I've just ordered a code reader (Ancel JP700) apparently specifically for Japanese cars, will post here how it goes.. Fingers crossed 

 

Isn't the techstream what my garage probably used? 

If the code reader I bought doesn't work will try that! Thanks Rojie 

 

If your local garage is an official Toyota dealer, it could well be.

 

There are other forum members who are more informed than I am on Techstream.

Chris.ac is very technically capable, and, I think, is, or has been. a Techstream user.

[Darek]

Hi got similar problem, same warning lights come on +4wd. When get the car battery was completely dead, charged the battery and stationary all looks like should- car starts no warning lights hybrid system works with all the charging arrows on the screen. Just when the car reach about 10mph ,after we gearbox kick all warning lights appear. After hours spend on research got some hints:

looks like toyota are sensitive for low battery voltage and need reset of few components:

1 . power windows - done

2 .check tyres pressure 35psi front and rear - done

3 .angle sensor - will try in next few days

 

Manage to check fault codes by AUTEL MAXI DIAG MD808 pro

my codes:

P3125 INVERTER MALFUNCTION

C1259 HV SYSTEM REGENERATIVE MALFUNCTION

C1310 HV SYSTEM MALFUNCTION

C1253 HYDRO-BOOSTER PUMP MOTOR RELAY - that one possibly create the problem because VSC FAULT AUTOMATICALY DISABLE HV SYSTEM, but first will try reset angle sensor (angle sensor is crucial component of VSC system and on live checks when engine running angle sensor value not react on steering wheel movement)  

 

alphard hybrid 2.4 2004 with around 75000miles on the clock.

Any suggestions welcome.